Winding machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is disclosed for performing the winding-up of webs, preferably of several webs slit from a single web. The apparatus comprises opposed rotatable winding shafts supported at one end only by supports, and means for axially displacing at least one of the winding shafts in the support into a predetermined winding area, the winding shafts when displaced being adapted to support winding cores for a winding roll.

nited States Patent Schmidt et al.

WINDING MACHINE Inventors: Willi Johann Schmidt,

l-lahn/Taunus; Hugo Lumb, l-leidesheim, both of Germany Assignee: KalleAktiengesellschaft,

Wiesbaden-Biebrich, Germany Filed: July 5, 1973 Appl. No.: 376,716

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 166,941,July 28, 1971, abandoned.

Foreign Application Priority Data July 29, 1970 Germany 2037624 us. (:1.242/68.4 Int. Cl B65h 19/00 Field of Search 242/55, 562, 56.9, 68,

1451 Nov. 5, 1974 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,599,9426/1952 Roen 242/81 X 3,174,700 3/1965 Lemaire 242/18 A 3,332,636 7/1967Rockstrom 242/562 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 22,852 7/1956 Germany242/682 Primary Examiner-,lohn W. l-luckert Assistant Examiner-Edward J.McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or Firm lames E. Bryan 57 ABSTRACT Apparatusis disclosed for performing the winding-up of webs, preferably ofseveral webs slit from a single web. The apparatus comprises opposedrotatable winding shafts supported at one end only by supports, andmeans for axially displacing at least one of the winding shafts in thesupport into a predetermined winding area, the winding shafts whendisplaced being adapted to support winding cores for a winding roll.

9 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDunv 5:974 3.845.915

- sum 10! 5 MENTEUxuv 5197 3.845.915

- SREEY 20$ 5 FIG. 5

PATENYEUW 5 m: 3.8459 1 5 SIEHSBFS This application is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 166,941, filed July 28,l97l, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for winding-up web-likematerial. In addition to serving for simple re-winding operations, thisapparatus is particularly used for winding up several webs slit from asingle web, i.e. as a slitting and winding apparatus. The apparatus isparticularly suitable for processing thin webs of plastic film.

Apparatus for the winding-off and winding-up of materials in separatemachine units and for re-winding materials in a single machine are wellknown and are commercially available in a great variety of versions. Thefirst group of machines need not be considered, however, because theyare used only for special purposes due to the large floor space theyrequire,'and also because they are far less pertinent to the presentinvention than is the second group. The machines coming under thiscategory have already attained a high degree of technical perfection andare to be included within the class of high performance specialapparatus.

The simplest versions of such machines are thesocalled re-windingmachines. in such machines, the web of material is wound-off from a rolland re-w'ound on another winding shaft that is driven with one or moremanufacturing operations for the web of material taking place between'the two winding procedures. Such manufacturing operations may includetrimming of the edges, slitting of the roll, printing, coating orembossing operations, or other comparable operations. v

For simple re-winding operations, machines are known in which thewinding shafts are supported at each end and are lifted out of themachine each time a fresh roll is inserted and finished rolls areremoved. Light-weight rolls, i.e. narrow rolls with relatively smalldiameters, are lifted manually from the machine, whereas heavy rolls,with correspondingly heavier winding shafts, are removed from themachine with the aid of hoisting apparatuses.

In order to avoid the complicated insertion and removal of the rollstogether with their winding shafts in the case of the aforementionedmachines, apparatuses have been developed in which the winding shaftsare supported at one end only so that the rolls can be inserted andremoved from the side. This lateral insertion and removal of the rollshas the serious'drawback that, particularly in the case of heavy rolls,a displaceable lateral removal device must be provided by means of whichthe rolls can be removed laterally. The devices used for this purpose,for example hoisting apparatuses, must operate in such a manner thatthey accurately engage the rolls, because otherwise the rolls could bedamaged at their front ends. for example. Thisinteraction'betweenwinding shaft, roll, and removal device, however, canbe achieved only with technically expensive means. Further, in the caseof slitting machines in which several rolls must be laterally removed,such a removal device must be provided for each roll in order to permitan economical operation. Furthermore, this type of machine has theconsiderable disadvantage that it requires morefloor space due to therigid arrangement of the winding shafts, because a'space correspondingat least to the width of the original roll is additionally needed topermit lateral removal of the rolls.

As a further development of the simple re-winding machines, apparatuseshave been constructed in which a wide web of material is simultaneouslysubdivided into several narrower webs, which are wound upon separatewinding shafts. In these machines, winding shafts supported on both endsalso are used, and the draw backs caused by the difficult insertion andremoval of the original roll and of the finished narrower rolls are thesame as in the case of asimple re-winding operation.

In order to better obviate these difficulties, machines have beendeveloped which are equipped with full-- length winding shafts which arecapable of radially swinging out. In addition to the expensive technicalconstruction and the susceptibility to malfunction caused thereby, andby the great weight of the winding shafts, this type of machine has thedisadvantage that the opening of the bearings for the winding shafts,which must be effected before the winding shafts are swung out, requiresadditional operating time and often can be performed only with greatdifficulties, especially with the compact constructions preferred today.

Another embodiment'of the roll cutting and winding machines isequippedwith radially swingable winding arms, and the narrow rolls produced fromthe original roll-by slitting are rested, without axles, in pairs ofrocking levers. In addition to the already mentioned drawbacks of swivelling devices, this machine has the disadvantage that the rollsmounted in the pairs of'rocking levers are not supported in the centerso that, in spite of the expensive mechanical equipment, the rolls, andespecially thick rolls, tend to sag, which,in turn, may cause furtheroperating difficulties, also during further processing of the narrowrolls.

The above-mentioned cutting machines have the common drawback that, dueto the rigid arrangement and, consequently, predetermined length of thewind ing shafts, only special sizes can be produced. Thus, a complicatedremoval of the old shafts and insertion of new shafts is necessary whenother sizes are to be produced, provided such adaptation is possible atall.

The above-mentioned machines have known devices for driving the windingshafts, such as motors with torque transfer means, and means for commonor separate adjustment'of the winding tension also may be provided.

The present invention provides an apparatus for the winding-up of asingle web, preferably, however, of several webs slit from a single web,which does not have the disadvantages of the described machines andwhich, when it is used in a preferred embodiment as a roll cutting andwinding machine, provides easy and rapid removal of the finished rolland, furthermore, for a great variety of roll widths.

This is achieved by'an apparatus in which one, or preferably several,winding shafts axially displaceable into the winding-up area of thewinding roll or rolls are arranged, the free end of the winding shaft orthe free ends of the winding shafts when being pushed out carryingwinding cores for receiving the winding roll or rolls and the windingshafts and/or cores being equipped with known means for power transferbetween the core and the shaft.

By means of the axial displaceability, it is possible to easily move thewinding shafts into any position of a predetermined winding area. Theapparatus of the invention is advantageously distinguished from priorart apparatuses in that it permits a rapid installation of the windingarrangement, without time-consuming and technically expensivedismantling or swivelling of entire winding shafts, and that windingcores of different widths, corresponding to the width of the web to bewound up, can be mounted within a short time. A further, very essentialadvantage is the adjustability resulting from the lateraldisplaceability of the winding shafts because the winding core can beadapted very accurately to the direction of feed of the web. in priorart apparatuses, there is the risk of a lateral distortion of the web tobe wound up, when its direction of feed does not exactly correspond tothe position of the winding core, so that rolls are produced which donot have level front surfaces. Such rolls must be trimmed again, thuscausing a loss of material and operating time, with the same problemsarising during the renewed rewinding which becomes necessary. By meansof the apparatus of the present invention, time-saving and technicallyvery accurate operating is possible with more economical productionmethods resulting therefrom which have been impossible hitherto.

After the winding-up operation, the winding shafts are moved back totheir original position, the roll together with the winding core beingrapidly separated from the winding shaft thereby.

Removal devices may be provided for heavy rolls, as in the knownmachines, but since, after the returning of the winding shaft, the rollis freely movable, it is not necessary, as in the case of the knownmachines, to accurately engage these devices in a technically expensivemanner. It is possible, for example, to cause the roll to fall into ahoisting device which then transports the roll out of the machine.

As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment the apparatus is not usedas a simple rewinding apparatus for one or several webs but as a rollcutting and winding machine. In this case, the web of material beingunwound from a roll is divided by means of roll-dividing devices, e.g.rotating knives, into the desired number of webs and the divided websare wound onto separate winding shafts.

In another embodiment, the winding shafts are arranged on both sides ofthe apparatus. This arrangement has the advantage over the arrangementon one side that the supporting lateral parts and their mounts may beless strong because the weight of the winding shafts, cores and rolls isdistributed on both sides. In the case of the arrangement on both sides,the winding shafts preferably are arranged with their axes symmetricalto each other, either only one or both opposite winding shafts beingaxially displaceable. This embodiment, inter alia, serves for carryingthe roll with both free ends of the opposite winding shafts.

Since the winding shafts are normally of a relatively heavy constructionand the winding cores and the rolls wound upon them very often areheavy, it has proven to be particularly suitable in many cases toprovide a supporting device for the winding shafts at or shortly beforethe beginning of the area where they carry the rolls. Supports used forthis purpose include, for example, upright and/or suspended parts, and ahalf-bearing attached to a rod may be used, for example.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supports are alsodisplaceable in the direction of the axial displaceability of thewinding shafts, preferably by the same distance as the shafts. Thissimultaneous displacement of winding shafts and supports is necessary,for example, for the adjustment of a winding position or correction ofan already selected position. A displacement of the winding shaftindependently of the displacement of the support, and vice versa, isalso possible.

When the roll is supported, the machine parts serving for this purposeshould interfere as little as possible with the operation. They are,therefore, preferably shiftable so far that the finished roll can beremoved without lateral transport movement.

in a further embodiment of the invention, the supports can be raised orlowered by means of known apparatuses.

in a preferred embodiment, the supporting device is a supporting bearingpreferably carried by two arms parallel to the winding shaft andsupported by bearings. Also in this arrangement, the supporting deviceand the winding shaft may be displaced by the same amount together orindependently of one another.

In another embodiment of the apparatus, a spacer sleeve or disc isarranged between the supporting bearing and the winding shaft, whichrotates synchronously with the winding shaft and is fixed to therotating portion of the supporting bearing in order to protect it fromdropping-off during axial displacement of the winding shaft. The spacersleeve is so constructed that it protects the roll from being laterallydisplaced during the retraction of the winding shaft after completion ofthe winding operation and thus allows separation of the winding shaftfrom the roll.

In principle, the winding shaft or shafts may be arranged or mounted inany desired position, provided they are axially displaceable inaccordance with the invention. However, in order to substantially avoidcontamination which is of particular importance when webs of thinplastic films are to be wound-up it has proved to be of advantage forthe winding shaft or shafts to be so far retracted in their initialposition that they are accommodated in an enclosed housing outside ofthe winding area.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for effecting rotation as well asthose for axial displacement of the winding shafts and, if desired,devices for adjusting the web tension, e.g. motors, rods, compressed-aircylinders, and the like, are also in the enclosed housing, a compactconstruction with diminished risk of contamination being achievedthereby.

Suitable devices for axial displacement of the winding shaft'and anysupporting device are known hydraulic and/or pneumatic devices, forexample.

In another embodiment of the apparatus, the end of the winding shaft orthe ends of the winding shafts are provided with a known self-lockingeasily removable locking cap of which the parts carrying the core haveoutside diameters exceeding the inside diameter of the winding core.

For further illustration, the apparatus of the invention will bedescribed in the following with reference to the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIGS. 1 to 8 are diagrammatic views in elevation of various embodimentsof the apparatus of the invention, but do not show the driving means, orthe means for speed adjustment, as well as for the displacement of thewinding shafts and/or of the supporting device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in a preferred embodimentas a roll cutting and winding apparatus.

FIGS. to 12 show three different positions of one of the winding shaftsand the supporting system therefor.

The same numerals designate the same parts.

FIG. 1 shows the winding shaft 4 introduced in a housing 13 and carriedby the bearing 11, the arrows indicating the direction of axialdisplaceability or rotation. l

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. I, the winding shaft 4 beingintroduced into the winding area of the arriving web, not shown. Theroll 3 is on the winding core 5. I

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus with the winding shafts 4 and 4' on both sidesA and B of the complete appara tus, with their axes symmetrical to eachother.

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 but with winding shafts introducedinto the winding area, their ends carrying the roll on the commonwinding core 5. This apparatus, however, is a special case selected forsome purposes.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus for simultaneously winding up several webs.For special purposes, the winding shafts 4' and 4. may be arranged atleast partially rigidly, but in a preferred embodiment they are allaxially displaceable. 1 I

The apparatus illustrated is specially constructed as a'roll cutting andwinding apparatus, the distance (a) corresponding to'th'e total width ofthe original web. The rolls partially are of different widths, the twolower rolls in some cases being the edges cut for achieving absolutelyplanar front surfaces. Suchcut edges are relatively narrow, compared tothe wound divided rolls.

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5, inwhich each winding shaft4 is facing a winding shaft 4', their axes beingsymmetrical.

FIG. 7 corresponds to the apparatus of FIG. 6, but the winding shaftsface one another with their axes being symmetrical (4 and 4' in a and bpositions) and each has only one winding core, the rolls being devidedin a manner different from that of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of two supporting devices 14 and 14' whichcan be raised and lowered in the direction of the arrows and support thewinding axes shortly before the carrying position of the rolls 3. Thesupporting devices are mounted on an axis I5 and are axiallydisplaceable.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of the apparatus as a roll cuttingand winding apparatus.

FIGS. 10 through 12 show the apparatuscomponents required for effectingthe rotary and pushing movement of the winding shaft and the pushingmovement of the supporting arms with the bearings 6. These componentsare enclosed within the housings l3 and 13', and in FIGS. 10 to 12 areshown forone side of the apparatus only.

FIG. 8 shows the structural elements required for operating the raisingand lowering devices 14 and 14'. The elements are specifically shownonly for the raising and lowering device 14, and similar elements areemployed in connection with the raising and lowering device 14'. Thepiston of the raising and lowering device 14 works in a cylinder 27tilled with air or liquid 28. Pressure, designated with the letter P,can be applied to the system through the junction 29 to raise the piston6 I4. By reducing the pressure P, the piston 14 can be lowered. Byturning the hand .wheel'34mounted on the spindle 30, the nut 31connected to the devicel4 can beaxially displaced thereby also movingthe raising system axially. The spindle is supported in the bearings 32and 33.

FIG. 9 shows the individual webs 2 which are cut from a web of material1 by means of cutting devices (not shown) and wound into the rolls3.Th'erolls are wound upon winding cores 5, not shown. The axiallydisplaceable winding shafts 4 and 4' are supported by supportingbearings 6 attached to the axially displaceable supporting arms 10. Thewinding shafts are passed through the bearings 11, and the supportingarms 10 are passed through the bearings 12, both bearings beingpositioned inthe side bearing plate 7. Between the supporting bearing 6andthe roll 3, there are the spacer sleeves 8 which rotate insynchronism with the winding shafts 4 and 4'. At the free ends of thewinding shafts,

.self-locl ing but easily detachable locking caps 9 are provided whichare taken off for removal of a finished roll and are replaced, as asafety measure, after a new winding core has been slipped on. J I i '7FIGS. 10 to 12 show the apparatus enclosed within the v housing 13.Similar apparatus is enclosed in' the housing 13. The shaft 4 is rotatedby means of the motor 16 driving the shaft through the gear 17, V-beltand V-beltpulley. The shaft 4 is axially displaceably mounted in acasing 20, and the V-belt pulley'is laterally displaceably butnon-rotatably mounted on the easing 2Q.The shaft 4 is supported by thesupports 22a and 22b. The bearing brackets 6. and 6a are connected withthe supporting arms 10, and in the bearing bracket 6a a stem guide islocated in which the spindle 23 is moved by means of a miter gear 24 anda motor, not shown. By moving the spindle 23 via the bearing bracket 6a,the supporting arms 10 and are axially moved together with the bearingbracket 6.

" To the bearing bracket 6a a hydraulically or pneumatically workinglifting cylinder is connected. On the opposite side the cylinder isconnected with the shaft '4 via a connecting plate 25 and adouble-acting thrust bearing 26. By means of this cylinder, the shaft isaxially displaceable, independently of the location of the supportingsystem composed of parts 10, 10a, 6 and 6a.

FIG. 10 shows the shaft 4 and the supporting system both in an outerposition.

FIG. 11 shows the shaft 4 in an outer position and the supporting systemin an inner position.

FIG. 12 shows the shaft 4, in an inner position and the supportingsystem in an outer position.

The apparatus in principle can be used for all webs of material, e.g. ofpaper, metal, textile laminates, and the like, which are wound in theflatstate but it has proved in practice particularly suitable forwinding flat plastic films, especially those of small thicknesses, e.g.of 25p. and less.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modificationsmay bemade within the scope of the present invention without departingfrom the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all suchmodifications.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for performing winding operations co'mprisingopposedrotatable winding shaft means supported at one end only by supportingmeans, and means 7 for axially displacing at least one of said windingshaft means in said supporting means into various positions in apredetermined winding area, said winding shaft means when displacedbeing adapted to support winding core means for a winding roll.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the axes of the opposedwinding shaft means are symmetrical.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for axiallydisplacing both of said winding shaft means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 including additional supportingmeans for said winding shaft means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 including 8 means for axiallydisplacing said additional supporting means concurrently with saidwinding shaft means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 in which said additional supportingmeans includes means for lowering and raising it.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4 in which the additional supportingmeans includes supporting bearing means.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 including at least one supportingarm connected to the supporting bearing means.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 including spacer sleeve means onsaid winding shaft means adjacent said supporting bearing means.

1. An apparatus for performing winding operations comprising opposedrotatable winding shaft means supported at one end only by supportingmeans, and means for axially displacing at least one of said windingshaft means in said supporting means into various positions in apredetermined winding area, said winding shaft means when displacedbeing adapted to support winding core means for a winding roll.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1 in which the axes of the opposed windingshaft means are symmetrical.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1including means for axially displacing both of said winding shaft means.4. An apparatus according to claim 1 including additional supportingmeans for said winding shaft means.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4including means for axially displacing said additional supporting meansconcurrently with said winding shaft means.
 6. An apparatus according toclaim 4 in which said additional supporting means includes means forlowering and raising it.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 4 in whichthe additional supporting means includes supporting bearing means.
 8. Anapparatus according to claim 7 including at least one supporting armconnected to the supporting bearing means.
 9. An apparatus according toclaim 7 including spacer sleeve means on said winding shaft meansadjacent said supporting bearing means.